Illinois' puppy 'lemon' law tweaked

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers are working to change a small mistake in Illinois’ new pet “lemon” law.

Democratic state Sen. Dan Kotowski, the legislation’s sponsor, told a Senate committee that there was an error in the legislation that was passed by both houses last spring.

The amendment to the law allows owners to return a pet or be reimbursed for veterinary costs if it is discovered an illness was not disclosed by the seller. The original legislation said pet stores would have to pay owners up to twice the cost of the pet to offset treatment costs. Kotowski told a Senate committee that number should be changed to require reimbursement to match the cost of the pet.